Page 16 of Play Me

Chapter Seven

SEBASTIAN

I run off the stage to the sound of the applause so loud I can’t even hear my footsteps stomping on the metal staircase leading down to the backstage.

The sights around me are a blur, my heart’s beating so fast I’m trying to take deep breaths to stop it from thumping right out of my chest. The combination of ending the show, and the performance for Cadence have me reeling. The head rush is better than the drugs we used to think we were so cool for trying.

A hard thump on my back stops me on my way to the backstage door where I’m hoping she’ll be waiting for me.

“Ma-ate!” Dennis grins at me. It’s really the only time he’s ever really happy, when a show’s gone well and he can relax for five minutes before the next one. “That was phenomenal.”

I grin back at him, his happy face a welcome sight compared to the sourpuss he can be when we’re on tour. “Thanks, man.”

“That thing with the girl...gold. Why didn’t you tell me you were going to do that? I woulda made sure we had some cameras on you.”

“Um, it was just spur of the moment.” Except that I’d always planned to do it...for the right person.

“Great, great...you seemed so romantic even I wanted to give you a big ol’ kiss on the mouth.”

I wrap him up in a big hug. For all the stress he gives us, I know he’s all heart when it comes to us and the band. Then I kiss him on the cheek and he pushes me away with a big growl!

“Hey! None of that...we gotta keep up the image that you’re a single lothario!”

“Oh, no, Dennis, everyone knows I’ve only got eyes for you!” We laugh and grab each other in a hug again, the high from the show still streaming through our veins.

“Come on, everyone’s waiting for you in the greenroom.” He pulls on my arm.

Not everyone, I think to myself. But I know he won’t take no for an answer. I figure I’ll make an appearance and then slip out. It should take her a few minutes to get backstage anyway.

“Lead the way, Big D!”

We race to the greenroom and yank the door open.

The usual sight greets us. Something between a high school party and a low rate opium den in Amsterdam. Young, pretty girls crammed into every inch, the lights are off, only the glow from the TV illuminates the sweaty bodies in the room.

“SEBASTIAN! SEBASTIAN! SEBASTIAN!” The boys raise their voices in a chant and the twenty other people crammed into the tiny smoke-filled room follow along.

“Yes, boys, I am Sebastian.” I play along when the chant dies down. “Your God hath arrived, and your wish is my command!”

A paper cup thwacks me on the side of the head. “We wish for more ice!” Marius yells out from under a pile of arms and legs and blonde hair.

A loud cheer erupts and I notice Jez in the corner with each of his arms wrapped around a girl’s shoulders. He grins at me and whispers something to one of them before getting up and following me out to the hallway.

“Hey, you all right?” He asks me.

I nod, “I guess I don’t have to ask how you’re doing?”

He shrugs and gives me a lopsided smile, “Can’t complain. These Australian girls are wild. Can we move here?”

“You say that now, but two weeks from now I look out the window and you’ll be hanging onto the wing of the first Qantas flight out of here.”

“There’s a beauty in there, Mandy. Fits right in with the Sebastian type. Want me to introduce you?”

“Nah, mate, I’m...a, I’m a little tired. Not used to the long shows yet.”

He peers at me a little worried. “You sure you’re OK? It’s not that girl, Cadence, right? That’s just you having a bit of fun?”

“Yeah, yeah. No, seriously, just gonna have a quick nightcap and head back to the hotel, I think.” Hopefully not alone, I don’t add.